Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on August 3 acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and former WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment and intimidation case lodged by several women wrestlers.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order acquitting both accused after trial in the case.
Tomar had been facing trial under Section 506 Part I of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in relation to allegations made by one of the complainants. The detailed judgment is awaited.
The case dates back to January 2023, when wrestlers, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, launched a protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation and intimidation.
The wrestlers demanded his resignation as WFI chief and sought the dissolution of the federation.
Following a complaint to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha, an inquiry committee comprising eminent sportspersons, including Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, was constituted. However, the WFI denied all allegations against its then president and coaches.
The Union Sports Ministry subsequently suspended the functioning of the WFI and sidelined then assistant secretary Vinod Tomar amid the controversy.
The criminal proceedings gathered pace in May 2024, when the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against Brij Bhushan and Vinod Tomar. The trial court found sufficient material to proceed against the former WFI chief on charges relating to sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five women wrestlers.
Brij Bhushan had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial, saying he was innocent.
